Emergency Contraception

What is it?

If you have sex without using contraception, or if there is a risk that your contraception may have failed (eg, split condom, forgotten a pill), then you can use emergency contraception to prevent a pregnancy.

Emergency contraception is either: The emergency pill or The IUD.

It is sometimes known as the ‘morning after pill’ but this is a bit confusing because it can be taken up to 3 days after unprotected sex.

When it is taken?

• The emergency pill – up to 72 hours (3 days) later. BUT the sooner it is taken the more effective it will be.
• IUD – up to 120 hours (5 days) later.

Will it stop a pregnancy?

The emergency contraception pill is more effective the sooner it is taken after unprotected sex. If taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex, it will prevent more than 9 out of 10 (95%) pregnancies expected to occur if no emergency contraception had been taken.

If taken 72 hours after unprotected sex it will prevent more than 5 out of 10 (58%) pregnancies expected to occur if no emergency contraception had been taken.

Emergency Pill- What happens?

The emergency pill should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. (This has changed, it used to be two pills taken 12 hours apart).

The pill contains a progestogen hormone which is similar to the natural progesterone women produce in their ovaries.

The pill may work in different ways depending on the time of the menstrual cycle. It may stop an egg being released (ovulation), delay ovulation or stop a fertilised egg settling in the womb (implanting).

The IUD

A copper intrauterine device (IUD) is fitted in the womb up to five days after unprotected sex, or up to five days after the earliest time of ovulation.

It works by stopping an egg being fertilised or ‘implanting’ in the womb.

The IUD is the most effective method of emergency contraception. It will prevent more than 9 out of 10 (98%) pregnancies expected to occur if no emergency contraception had been used. The IUD can also provide ongoing contraception.

Most women can use an IUD for emergency contraception. An IUD would be suitable if it is too late to take emergency pills (over 72 hours after unprotected sex) or if a woman does not want to or can not take progestogen.

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